Benin, a member of ECOWAS has also signed the International Energy Charter at The Hague Ministerial Conference.   Among ECOWAS member countries other than Benin, Niger has also signed the International Energy Charter and the European Energy Charter.  Nigeria has participated in the adoption of the International Energy Charter.       

The Deputy Secretary-General Amb. Selim Küneralp and Senior Expert Patrice Dreiski visited the Republic of Benin on 29-31 July 2015 at the invitation of the authorities of Benin.

The Energy Charter Secretariat (ECS) delegation held talks with the management of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) which is based in Cotonou and aims at integrating the electricity networks of ECOWAS countries.  In these talks, the ECS delegation and the WAPP management explored the possibility of holding a seminar for the benefit of ECOWAS countries with the objective of paving their way to accession to the Energy Charter Treaty.

During their visit the Deputy Secretary General and Mr. Dreiski were received by Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, Foreign Minister Saliou Akadiri and Energy Minister Spéro Mensah.  They also had talks with the Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Amb. Robert Zantan, the Director-General of the Benin National Electricity Company, Mr. Camille Kpogbemabou, and the Chairman and members of the Electricity Regulatory Authority.

In the course of  the talks, the Benin authorities, at all levels, expressed their determination to proceed rapidly to the accession to the Energy Charter Treaty.  By signing the International Energy Charter at The Hague Ministerial Conference, Benin has already taken the first step in that direction.

The delegation also visited the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD) Representations in Cotonou.